Patents by Inventor Nicholas Budler

Nicholas Budler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10815760
    Abstract: A method of filtering a wellbore fluid can include receiving a wellbore fluid in a chamber. The chamber can be defined by an inner surface of a casing string that is positioned downhole in a wellbore. The method can further include filtering debris particles from the wellbore fluid by a filter assembly positioned within an inner region of the casing string. The filter assembly may include a plurality of slots and the filter assembly may be rotated by the wellbore fluid passing through the plurality of slots in the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Patent number: 10626707
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a filter element that is positionable in a tubing string. The filter element can have a closed end and an open end. A plurality of slots can extend generally radially from the closed end to the open end of the filter element along a length of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler
  • Patent number: 10502007
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a centralizer for aligning a tubular in a wellbore includes a stepped centralizer feature. The stepped centralizer feature includes a composite material with a stepped profile. That is, the stepped centralizer feature includes a first layer of the composite material having a convex rounded side for interfacing with the tubular, and a second layer of the composite material extending from the first layer. The first layer is wider than the second layer. The stepped centralizer feature may be a centralizer blade bonded to an outer surface of the tubular, or a stop collar used to hold a centralizer spring in place on the tubular. The stepped centralizer feature helps to distribute stress through the centralizer feature so that the centralizer feature does not crack or de-bond from the tubular in low temperature, high pressure environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler
  • Patent number: 10358881
    Abstract: An assembly can include a filter body having an open end and a closed end. The filter body can also include a plurality of perforations. A fan may be positionable within the filter body. The fan may include a mount that extends along a length of the fan. A blade may be coupled to and extend from the mount. The fan may also include an outer edge of the blade for contacting an inner surface of the filter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Publication number: 20190106966
    Abstract: A method of filtering a wellbore fluid can include receiving a wellbore fluid in a chamber. The chamber can be defined by an inner surface of a casing string that is positioned downhole in a wellbore. The method can further include filtering debris particles from the wellbore fluid by a filter assembly positioned within an inner region of the casing string. The filter assembly may include a plurality of slots and the filter assembly may be rotated by the wellbore fluid passing through the plurality of slots in the filter assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Patent number: 10233731
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a slotted filter that is generally circular in shape and positionable within a casing string. The slotted filter may include multiple filter chambers. Each of the multiple filter chambers may include a rear wall; side walls that intersect the rear wall; slots in the rear wall and the side walls; a bottom surface; and an open end positionable proximate to a centrifuge in the casing string for receiving a fluid containing debris particles collected by the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Patent number: 10233730
    Abstract: An assembly may include a diverter extending inwardly from a casing string and extending along a length of the casing string. The assembly may also include a cavity defined by the diverter and the casing string. The cavity may be for receiving debris particles accumulated by a centrifuge positioned proximate to the diverter. The assembly may also include a valve extending between an inner surface of the casing string and an outer surface of the casing string, the valve may be in fluid communication with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Publication number: 20180363426
    Abstract: An assembly may include a diverter extending inwardly from a casing string and extending along a length of the casing string. The assembly may also include a cavity defined by the diverter and the casing string. The cavity may be for receiving debris particles accumulated by a centrifuge positioned proximate to the diverter. The assembly may also include a valve extending between an inner surface of the casing string and an outer surface of the casing string, the valve may be in fluid communication with the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Publication number: 20180363427
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a slotted filter that is generally circular in shape and positionable within a casing string. The slotted filter may include multiple filter chambers. Each of the multiple filter chambers may include a rear wall; side walls that intersect the rear wall; slots in the rear wall and the side walls; a bottom surface; and an open end positionable proximate to a centrifuge in the casing string for receiving a fluid containing debris particles collected by the centrifuge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Patent number: 10125579
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a first curved blade for use in a centrifuge. The centrifuge can be for collecting debris particles in a fluid flowing through the centrifuge. The first curved blade can include a plurality of eccentric slots. The first curved blade can include a groove positioned at an outer edge of the curved blade. The first curved blade can also include a first mating element and a second mating element. The first and second mating elements can be for coupling the first curved blade to a second curved blade about a central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Publication number: 20180128067
    Abstract: An assembly can include a filter body having an open end and a closed end. The filter body can also include a plurality of perforations. A fan may be positionable within the filter body. The fan may include a mount that extends along a length of the fan. A blade may be coupled to and extend from the mount. The fan may also include an outer edge of the blade for contacting an inner surface of the filter body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Publication number: 20180112499
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a filter element that is positionable in a tubing string. The filter element can have a closed end and an open end. A plurality of slots can extend generally radially from the closed end to the open end of the filter element along a length of the filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler
  • Publication number: 20170211358
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a first curved blade for use in a centrifuge. The centrifuge can be for collecting debris particles in a fluid flowing through the centrifuge. The first curved blade can include a plurality of eccentric slots. The first curved blade can include a groove positioned at an outer edge of the curved blade. The first curved blade can also include a first mating element and a second mating element. The first and second mating elements can be for coupling the first curved blade to a second curved blade about a central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler, Linda Xin
  • Publication number: 20170204685
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a centralizer for aligning a tubular in a wellbore includes a stepped centralizer feature. The stepped centralizer feature includes a composite material with a stepped profile. That is, the stepped centralizer feature includes a first layer of the composite material having a convex rounded side for interfacing with the tubular, and a second layer of the composite material extending from the first layer. The first layer is wider than the second layer. The stepped centralizer feature may be a centralizer blade bonded to an outer surface of the tubular, or a stop collar used to hold a centralizer spring in place on the tubular. The stepped centralizer feature helps to distribute stress through the centralizer feature so that the centralizer feature does not crack or de-bond from the tubular in low temperature, high pressure environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Nicholas Budler
  • Patent number: 9476273
    Abstract: Systems and methods for activating a down hole tool in a wellbore. A trigger is moveably positioned in the interior of a base pipe and includes a first end and a second, smaller end. The trigger is moveable between an unactivated position where a port in the base pipe is blocked and an activated position where the port is open. At least one latch member prevents movement of the trigger from the unactivated position to the activated position until a predetermined force is applied to the trigger. Increasing pressure in the interior increases a force differential between the first end and the second end. When the force differential is substantially equal to the predetermined force, the latch releases and allows the trigger to move from the unactivated position to the activated position, thereby opening the port to permit activation of the down hole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Acosta, Lonnie Carl Helms, John Key, Nicholas Budler
  • Patent number: 9376886
    Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely setting a downhole device. The system includes a base pipe having inner and outer radial surfaces and defining one or more pressure ports extending between the inner and outer radial surfaces. An internal sleeve is arranged against the inner radial surface and slidable between a closed position, where the internal sleeve covers the one or more pressure ports, and an open position, where the one or more pressure ports are exposed to an interior of the base pipe. A trigger housing is disposed about the base pipe and defines an atmospheric chamber in fluid communication with the one or more pressure ports. A piston port cover is disposed within the atmospheric chamber and moveable between blocking and exposed positions. A wellbore device is used to engage and move the internal sleeve into the open position by applying predetermined axial force to the internal sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank V. Acosta, Wesley G. Duke, Stoney M. Yates, John Key, Nicholas Budler
  • Patent number: 9238954
    Abstract: Systems and methods for activating a down hole tool in a wellbore. A piston is moveable from a first position to a second position for activating the down hole tool. The piston includes a first side exposed to an activation chamber, and a second side operatively coupled to the down hole tool. A rupture member has a first side exposed to the activation chamber and a second side exposed to the interior of a base pipe. The rupture member is configured to rupture when a pressure differential between the activation chamber and the interior reaches a predetermined threshold value, at which point the rupture member allows fluid communication between the interior and the activation chamber to pressurize the activation chamber and move the piston, thereby activating the down hole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Acosta, Nicholas Budler, David Szarka
  • Publication number: 20150292295
    Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely setting a downhole device. The system includes a base pipe having inner and outer radial surfaces and defining one or more pressure ports extending between the inner and outer radial surfaces. An internal sleeve is arranged against the inner radial surface and slidable between a closed position, where the internal sleeve covers the one or more pressure ports, and an open position, where the one or more pressure ports are exposed to an interior of the base pipe. A trigger housing is disposed about the base pipe and defines an atmospheric chamber in fluid communication with the one or more pressure ports. A piston port cover is disposed within the atmospheric chamber and moveable between blocking and exposed positions. A wellbore device is used to engage and move the internal sleeve into the open position by applying predetermined axial force to the internal sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank V. Acosta, Wesley G. Duke, Stoney M. Yates, John Key, Nicholas Budler
  • Publication number: 20140048263
    Abstract: Systems and methods for activating a down hole tool in a wellbore. A piston is moveable from a first position to a second position for activating the down hole tool. The piston includes a first side exposed to an activation chamber, and a second side operatively coupled to the down hole tool. A rupture member has a first side exposed to the activation chamber and a second side exposed to the interior of a base pipe. The rupture member is configured to rupture when a pressure differential between the activation chamber and the interior reaches a predetermined threshold value, at which point the rupture member allows fluid communication between the interior and the activation chamber to pressurize the activation chamber and move the piston, thereby activating the down hole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Acosta, Nicholas Budler, David Szarka
  • Patent number: 8646537
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element; an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal from a pump tool passing through an interior of the impervious body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Rather Tips, James R. Longbottom, Ricky Layne Covington, Michael Fripp, Lonnie Helms, Frank Acosta, Nicholas Budler, John Key